24Synonyms found for jest

Word Origin & History

jest c.1300, "narrative of exploits" (originally in verse), from O.Fr. geste "action, exploit," from L. gesta "deeds," neut. pl. of gestus, pp. of gerere "to carry, behave, act, perform." Sense descended through "idle tale" (c.1470) to "mocking speech, raillery" (c.1548) to "joke" (1551). The verb in the sense of "to speak in a trifling manner" is from 1530. Jester developed from M.E. gestour "a minstrel, professional reciter of romances" (c.1380), from gesten "recite a tale," which was a jester's original function; sense of "buffoon in a prince's court" is from 1510.

Example Sentences for jest

Many a word was said in jest but behold now we see many of these coming to pass.

If anything is spoken in jest, it is not fair to turn it to earnest.

Orthodoxies could not be questioned, even in jest.

How much truth could be said in jest.

That's not entirely in jest.

Firstly, my comment was mostly meant in jest, so lighten up a little.

It is a humorous and fallacious statement made purely for jest.

Though meant in jest, the title of statesman is not entirely inapt.

My offhanded political aside in praise of the acting in this movie was made in jest.